The next low-scoring clash between Sevilla and Lille?
Surprisingly, Salzburg top Group G in the 2021/22 Champions League. Behind them, Sevilla FC are in second place after three draws from their first three games, while Lille and Wolfsburg are hoping to slip past the Andalusians after two draws and a defeat apiece.
Both the Rojiblancos and the Dogues have struggled to score goals so far. Sevilla’s only two goals have come from penalties, while Lille’s only goal has come from a direct free-kick. Accordingly, the betting on a low-scoring game with a maximum of two goals is very high for Sevilla against Lille.
No more goals have been scored in any of the four previous competitive matches between the two clubs, who also played out a goalless draw in the first leg at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy a fortnight ago. Nevertheless, in the run-up to the encounter between Sevilla and Lille, the odds are swinging in the Spaniards’ favour.
After all, the Andalusians are unbeaten in five Champions League games against Ligue 1 opposition, while the northern French side have not only lost all of their last four away matches in the top flight, but are also winless against La Liga sides for eight consecutive competitive games.
Sevilla – Statistics & current form
With six trophies already, Sevilla FC are the record winners of the UEFA Europa League. Between 2014 and 2020 alone, the Andalusians celebrated four overall victories in the second most important European competition for club teams, although they were always allowed to compete in the Champions League as title holders in the following year.
The Rojiblancos are correspondingly experienced in being relegated from the top flight to the Europa League as third in the preliminary round and then shaking up the field there. A path that also does not seem unrealistic for the 2021/22 season.
All three group matches ended in a draw
Currently, the Nervionenses are still second in Group G.
Factually, however, the Andalusians have not won any of their three group games so far, all of which have ended in draws.
Particularly striking: Julen Lopetegui’s team has hardly managed anything out of the game in the top flight. Ivak Rakitic’s two goals against Salzburg and Wolfsburg both came from penalties
First nine goals conceded from 14 competitive matches in the 2021/22 season
On the other hand, the Rojiblancos’ defence, who have only conceded seven goals in eleven La Liga games and are only one point behind leaders Real Sociedad in third place, has been as solid as a rock.
They conceded just two goals in the Champions League group stage and have kept a clean sheet four times in their last five meetings with Ligue 1 opposition. Sevilla against Lille is therefore a good bet for another low-scoring game.
Predicted Sevilla line-up:
Bono – Acuna – Rekik – Carlos – Navas – Delaney – Fernando – Ocampos – Torres – Suso – Mir
Last matches played by Sevilla:
LaLiga
10/30 2021 – Sevilla 2 – 0 Osasuna Pamplona
10/27 2021 – Mallorca 1 – 1 Sevilla
10/24 2021 – Sevilla 5 – 3 Levante
Champions League Grp. G
10/20 2021 – Lille 0 – 0 Sevilla
LaLiga
10/17 2021 – Celta Vigo 0 – 1 Sevilla
Lille – Statistics & current form
It was certainly one of the big surprises across Europe this summer when, rather than Paris Saint-Germain strolling to another unchallenged championship, Lille Olympique Sporting Club secured their fifth Ligue 1 title after 1933, 1946, 1954 and 2011.
The problem with the Dogues, however, is that not only sporting director Luis Campos, who put together the championship team, turned his back on the club, but also success coach Christophe Galtier.
Only twelfth in Ligue 1
Facing a correspondingly difficult season now, the Dogues are, in a sense, the hunted in Ligue 1. On Saturday, they led 1-0 at the break at PSG but ended up conceding a 2-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes, their fifth loss in 12 league games (four wins, three draws).
The result leaves LOSC in twelfth place in France’s top flight and they are slowly but surely coming to terms with the fact that the Champions League adventure is unlikely to become the norm for the time being.
The way to the round of 16 is still possible on their own
At least at the moment, the Dogues still have a valid chance of reaching the last 16. Although the northern French are still winless, they have picked up two points out of a possible nine from their first three group matches, with two draws. This means that they can still make it to the knockout round under their own steam.
Predicted Lille line-up:
Grbic – Mandava – Djaló – Fonte – Celik – Bamba – Onana – André – Sanches – Yilmaz – David
Last matches played by Lille:
Ligue 1
10/29 2021 – Paris Saint-Germain 2 – 1 Lille
10/23 2021 – Lille 1 – 1 Brest
Champions League Grp. G
10/20 2021 – Lille 0 – 0 Sevilla
Ligue 1
10/16 2021 – Clermont Foot 1 – 0 Lille
10/03 2021 – Lille 2 – 0 Marseille
Sevilla – Lille Direct comparison / H2H balance
Head to head: 1 – 1 – 2
Four times both teams have faced each other in international matches so far and with two wins LOSC leads the direct comparison. Most recently, however, the Andalusians have not only remained unbeaten in two consecutive home games, but also without conceding a goal.
Sevilla – Lille Tip
What is striking about Sevilla vs Lille for the prediction is that both teams have struggled to score goals in the Champions League. Neither team scored a goal from play in the first three matchdays. The Andalusians scored only twice from the spot, while Lille’s only goal in the Champions League came from a direct free-kick.
In any case, it must be taken into account that in all four competitive matches between the two teams, only a total of four goals have been scored. Never before have there been more than two goals per match, which pushes up the value for this betting option accordingly.
